04-20-05 BRITEM 1-A
CITY OF OTSEGO
BOARD OF REVIEW
APRIL 20, 2005
6:30 PM
OTSEGO CITY HALL
1. Chair Larry Fournier will call the 2005 Board of Review Meeting to order.
Chair Fournier called to order at 6:35 PM.
Roll Call: Chair: Larry Fournier; Board of Review Members: Vern Heidner,
Dan Scharber, Jessica Stockamp and Mark Thorsted
Staff: Judy Hudson, City Clerk, Pete Merges, City Assessor, Doug Beise, Assistant City
Assessor, Tony Rasmuson, County Property Appraiser and Randy DesMarais, Assistant
County Assessor.
2. Comments by the Wright County Assessor.
Mr. DesMarais went over the purpose and duties of the Board of Review. He said that
land has skyrocketed throughout the County. In Otsego, residential properties
increased about 14%. overall. Agricultural property in Otsego increased about 20%
overall.
3. Comments by the City Assessor, Pete Merges.
Mr. Merges said that he has been often asked if he is qualified to be an assessor. He
explained he is licensed by the MN Board of Assessors, 31 years of experience and has
been with Otsego since 1975. Every year he is required to attend school.
4. Review valuation of property owner's from the County Sign Up List.
Donald Ebner
10273 Parrish Avenue NE
118-030-000221
EMV $1.31,600
Mr. Ebner feels that the valuation is too high since he lives in the flood plain.
Mr. Merges said his land is valued at $45,000 and he did take into consideration this
property is in the flood plain. The house is valued at $86,600.
The Board of Review noted that the value for all the properties in this area were
reduced a couple of years ago because of the flood plain.
Chair Fournier motioned to accept the City Assessor's recommendation and
make no change. Seconded by Member Heidner. All in favor. Motion carried.
Jeanette Polejewski
10307 Parrish Ave NE
118-500-104202
EMV $156,900
Mrs. Polejewski feels the valuation is too high for living in the flood plain.
Both Mr. DesMarais and Mr. Merges went over the valuation and recommended to leave
at $156;900.
Board of Review Meeting of April 20, 2005. Page 2.
Member Scharber motioned to accept Assessor's recommendation and leave
the valuation at $156,9000. Seconded by Member Thorsted. All in favor.
Motion carried.
Curtis Ebner
10291 Parrish Ave NE
118-500-104203
EMV $114,500
Pete: $50,000 on lot and 73,200 on buildings
Mr. Ebner said this is a very small lot and valuation is too high.
Mr. Merges said he has $50,000 on the lot and $73,200 on the buildings.
Member Heidner motioned for the City Assessor to review the property on
Tuesday, April 25, 2005. Seconded by Chair Fournier. All in favor. Motion
carried.
Steven and Melora Kopp
8790 Mason Avenue NE
118-500-191206
EMV $300,400
Mrs. Kopp said they had a fire in the accessory building and was told they couldn't
rebuild. They feel the valuation is too high on this building.
Member Heidner motioned for the City Assessor to review this property
Tuesday, April 20, 2005 at 11 AM. Seconded by Member Scharber. All in
favor. Motion carried.
Rudy Thibodeau
118-038-001040
Fun City and Godfather's
EMV $831,800
Mr. Thibodeau said he received a 65% increase in valuation and feels this is too high.
Mr. Merges explained he goes by square footage now and this is 2 acres. But he
recommended reviewing the park area. Mr. DesMarais said he would like to show sale
certificates at the next meeting.
Mayor Fournier motioned to continue this property to the May 9, 2005 Board
of Review Meeting. Seconded by Member Stockamp. All in favor. Motion
carried.
Bonnie Hollerman
11576 80th Street NE
118-800-244300 (9.96 acres)
EMV $196,600
Mrs. Hollerman feels the valuation is too high.
Mr. Merges explained parcels less than 10 acres are not considered agricultural
Board of Review Meeting of April 20, 2005. Page 3.
Member Heidner motioned to change the classification to Agricultural.
Seconded by Member Stockamp. All in favor. Motion carried.
Clem Darkenwald
F & F Food Mart
7767 River Road NE
118-500-262101
EMV $756,300
Mr. Darkenwald feels he shouldn't be taxed for the 6,000 square foot addition since the
State of MN has condemned it for the new Highway 101 ramp. He can't rent it out.
He is still using the gas station part and will be closed down this year.
Member Scharber motioned to use 2003 valuation and add $100.00 for the
new addition and land value to stay the same. Seconded by Member
Heidner. All in favor. Motion carried.
118-500-262200 2.92 acres EMV $32,200
118-500-262203 11.98 acres EMV $197,600
118-500-233301 4.6 acres EMV $ 75,900
Mr. Darkenwald said he received Preliminary Plat Approval but the State is now taking
over 3 acres and he can't do anything with his property at this time.
Member Scharber motioned to change the classification to agricultural.
Seconded by Member Heidner. All in favor. Motion carried.
5. Review any letters received.
John and Barbara DeMars
13030 90th St NE
118-094-001010
EMV $511,400
The DeMars told Mr. Merges that over half their land is swamp and they feel the
valuation is too high. The valuation of the land is $245,000.
Chair Fournier motioned to reduce the land valuation by $72,500. Seconded
by Member Heidner. All in favor. Motion carried.
Chris and Angela Yonak
9770 Kadler Avenue NE
118-159-001070
EMV $451,300
Mr. Merges said he had the house too high and recommended to reduce by $29,800.
Member Scharber motioned to reduce the valuation of the house by $29,800.
Seconded by Member Stockamp. All in favor. Motion carried.
Board of Review of April 20, 2005. Page 4.
James Vetsch
118-800-242401 20 acres EMV $253,400 (Land only) - Arnold
118-800-243202 1 acre EMV $159,400 (Land and buildings) — James & Judy
118-800-243203 4 acres EMV $43,600 (Land only) — James & Judy
118-800-243200 72.9 acres EMV $696.700
Mr. Merges said that James Vetsch would like the first three parcels changed to
agricultural homestead.
Member Heidner motioned to change the classification on 118-800-242401,
118-800-243202 and 118-800-243203 to agricultural homestead and leave
118-800-243200 agricultural non -homestead. Seconded by Member
Stockamp. All in favor. Motion carried.
Duane Louisiana
9301 95t' St NE
118-800-152404 47.78 acres
EMV $580,600
Mr. Merges said that 19 acres are in the CRP program and the rest is wasteland.
He put 19 acres in tillable at 17,200, 12 acres of pasture for $10,560 and 14.78 acres
Waste A land for $2,217. Mr. Merges recommended a reduction in land value of
$24,200.
Member Scharber motioned to reduce the land valuation by $24,200.
Seconded by Member Stockamp. All in favor. Motion carried.
Carol Williams
8197 Odean Ave NE
118-036-001060 EMV $81,100
Mr. Merges explained this is a mobile home on Odean Avenue and recommended
reducing the valuation down to $77,000.
Member Heidner motioned not to reduce the valuation but keep it at
$81,100. Seconded by Member Thorsted. All in favor. Motion carried.
Darren Maki
8370 Parkview Ave NE
118-077-010060 EMV $161,200
Mr. Merges said he had an error in the basement finish and should be reduced to
$152,400.
Member Heidner motioned to reduce the valuation to $152,400. Seconded
by Member Thorsted. All in favor. Motion carried.
Board of Review Meeting of April 20, 2005. Page S.
Dale and Anne Beaudry
7655 MacIver Ave NE
118-800-251301 .61 acre EMV $5,600
This should be classified as agricultural and not residential.
118-800-251210 3 acres EMV $46,900
Mr. Merges has this as 3 acres but should be 1.3 acres.
Chair Fournier motioned to change classification to agricultural on 118-800-
251301 and reduce acreage to 1.3 acres on 118-800-251210. Seconded by
Member Thorsted. All in favor. Motion carried.
6. Continue Board of Review to the May 9 2005 City Council Meeting
Member Heidner motioned to continue the Board of Review to May 9, 2005,
6:30 PM.
Seconded by Member Thorsted. All in favor. Motion carried.
Larry Fournier, Board of Review Chair
ATTEST:
Judy Hudson, Clerk